THE man who started his career as a van driver for The Beatles has controversially quit as chief executive of the Apple Corps label.

Neil Aspinall, a school friend of Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, was regarded by many as the “fifth Beatle.”

He was the band’s first road manager and would drive them between gigs in his van.

He later became their personal assistant and in 1968 was given a management role at Apple Records, the band’s own record label.

Aspinall, now 64, was executive producer on the massive-selling Beatles Anthology album and was behind other successes including the Beatles One album.

His departure was announced in a low-key press release issued yesterday about the appointment of Jeff Jones, a former executive vice-president at Sony/BMG, as Apple’s new chief executive.

The statement added: “Apple also announces the departure of Neil Aspinall, who had been with John, Paul, George and Ringo for a spectacular 40-plus years, during which he played an indispensable role for the four.

“He was there since the inception of the band in Liverpool and has meant so much to The Beatles’ family for all these years, and still does.

“However, he has decided to move on. Apple as a whole, and each member of this company, wishes him great success in whatever endeavour he chooses to pursue in the future.”

No further reasons were given for his departure from Apple Corps, which is owned by Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono and the estate of George Harrison.

Former Apple press officer Geoff Baker said: “I can’t see how The Beatles’ legacy will be looked after as well without him, and I’m amazed that Paul and Ringo are letting this happen.”

Aspinall’s departure comes just two months after Apple Corps settled a trademark squabble with computer company Apple, a deal that could finally pave the way for the Fab Four's songs to be sold on the iTunes music store.

At the time, Aspinall said it was great to put the dispute behind them, with the years ahead expected to be very exciting.

The Beatles have been high-profile absentees from internet music services such as iTunes, but it emerged during the trial of the trademark dispute that Apple Corps was preparing the band's catalogue to be sold online for the first time.